H817

Block 4: Activity 1 – Defining Learning Analytics

Part 1 of Activity 1 involves visiting the Wikipedia page on learning analytics and noting the current and past definitions of learning analytics, and reflecting on differences and similarities.

“Learning analytics is the use of intelligent data, learner-produced data and analysis models to discover information and social connections for predicting and advising peoples learning.”

This early definition arose when George Siemens called for papers, through his ELEARNINGSPACE blog in August 2010, to answer his question…” What are Learning Analytics?”

Siemens (2010) also offered a definition from Educause’s Next Generation Learning Initiative (link no longer works from ELEARNINGSPACE blog).

“…the use of data and models to predict student progress and performance, and the ability to act on that information.”

Although this first definition started the Wikipedia page definition for activity 1 in Block 4, Siemens himself contested it. “…Learning analytics at an advanced and integrated implementation…can do away with pre-fab curriculum models”. Sharkey (2010) was concerned about using data to predict success and he raised the implications of differing views and levels of success.

From my reading and understanding of the changes that have occurred between 2010 and 2016, using the information on the Wikimedia page and the embedded links, are in particular noted through the use of the verbs:

2010: To discover, predict and advise on people’s learning

2016: To understand and optimise learning and the environment in which is occurs.

The 2010 version focuses on discovering data about people’s learning and using this data to predict and advise others. The 2016 version is broader as it looks at learners and their contexts and tries to understand and optimise this learning and the environment in which it occurs and takes account of all stakeholders and their needs.

Part 2

Considering Long and Siemens (2011) and Cooper (2012) I have created my initial definition of learning analytics. I have thought about how learning analytics influence my practice and how it affects change across the school.

Learning analytics is the process of collecting, analysing and developing learner generated data to affect systematic change which improves the learning environment.

This of course will be improved as I work through this block on learning analytics